Nicky Hayden offically on Ducati next year

[Janir]

From my wing and Wheel newsletter this AM
American MotoGP Superstar Hayden Moving To Ducati For 2009 Season :: Official site of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Text:
2006 MotoGP World Champion Nicky Hayden (above) will team with 2007 World Champion Casey Stoner in a superstar-laden Ducati Team in 2009.
By Paul Kelly
indianapolismotorspeedway.com
Monday, September 15, 2008


When American MotoGP superstar and fan favorite Nicky Hayden races in the 2009 Red Bull Indianapolis GP at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, he will ride the iconic red motorcycle produced by legendary Italian manufacturer Ducati.

Ducati announced Sept. 15 that Hayden, who finished second in the inaugural Red Bull Indianapolis GP on Sept. 14 at IMS, will join the Ducati Team for the 2009 season. Hayden will join current Ducati star Casey Stoner in a super team featuring two MotoGP World Champions, as Hayden won the title in 2006 and Stoner in 2007.

"I'm looking forward to it," Hayden said. "I know it's going to be a big change for me. I think it's time to move on, try something different."

Hayden, from Owensboro, Ky., is moving to Ducati after a long association with Honda. He has competed for the Repsol Honda Team in MotoGP since his debut season in the World Championship in 2003 and also won the 2002 AMA Superbike and 1999 AMA 600 Supersport titles, the Daytona 200 and numerous AMA Flat Track Grand National races on a Honda.

"I've been with Honda a long time," Hayden said. "I owe a big thanks to everybody who's ever worked with me at Honda, from my AMA days to my rookie year in MotoGP, right up to now. I'd just like to thank everyone, and the best way to thank them is to put up some results these last few races. That's the plan."

There are four races remaining in the 2008 MotoGP season. Hayden will be released from his Honda contract immediately after the season-ending Valencia Grand Prix on Oct. 26 and begin testing for Ducati on Oct. 27 at Valencia.

"We are really happy to have Nicky join us," said Claudio Domenicali, Ducati Corse CEO and Ducati Motor Holding product director. "We are certain that his never-say-die attitude, riding style and character will be great additions to our team in 2009."

Hayden, 27, will replace Marco Melandri at Ducati. Kawasaki Racing Team announced the signing of Melandri for 2009 as teammate to American John Hopkins on Sept. 14 during the Red Bull Indianapolis GP.

[mattg]

Good for Nicky! I'm excited to see him on a bike with a team that will actually stand behind him.

It's been said for a while that Honda has been putting their best effort into the midget. It's definitely time for something new for Nicky.

[Kaweeegürrl]

Sweet! My 2 favorite boys ridin' together! Should be interesting!

[KawTipping]

Lets see how long it takes for Honda to realize that Dani is far from a development rider for a multi-bike team. Pedrosa is only there for himself and not there for the rest of the team. I can almost see a bit of a self destructive streak not unlike a certain Max that was once a factory GP rider as well.

[OldSchlPunk]

With Nicky and Valentino being ex-Honda, and Stoner doing as well as he's been on the Ducati, I'd just love to see Pedrobot wind up no better that 4th all of next year! As far as I'm concerned, I hope Honda never wins another championship. And I've been a Honda fan for a long time.

Dani will never be the development rider. Alberto Puig will never allow it! Dani's "teammate" will always be the development rider.

[Murf99]

Great move for Nicky! I think Nicky's laid back, southern gentleman additude will be much more at home in the family culture of the Ducati team, rather than the coorperate culture of HRC... Nevermind that the team actually appreciates him!

I hope Dovi gets the second HRC seat, and kicks the snot out of the hobbit.

[sexyicecold]

Good for Nicky! Go get 'em, Kid!